Dillon Windvogel reflects on his career, Blood and Water and Spinners

Sometimes the path to a life in performance begins in the most unexpected way. For Dillon Windvogel, it started with a childhood promise to a friend and a ballet class in Grade 4 that would ultimately spark a lifelong passion for storytelling and performance.

In this Q&A, he reflects on the early moments that shaped his career, the responsibility of portraying authentic local narratives, and the craft behind stepping into complex roles.

Q. You began acting at a young age, what first sparked your interest in performing? 

I started off as a dancer, which, in fact, was a complete accident. A promise made between my friend and I, to join the dance class in Grade 4. Purely because we thought it would be cool to be able to dance. We made this promise in Grade 3. My friend unfortunately left the school/country, leaving my name down as the only boy to join this class. Grade 4 arrived, and me joining the dance class was a distant memory, until the teacher called my name. I joined the class that year and never looked back. A singular boy amongst 26 girls, doing ballet. It was actually after our schools concert that year that I fell in love with performance. We danced to Ballerina Girl by Lionel Richie. Coming off stage and being congratulated by my parents & other families who came to watch. I remember seeing those smiles and making a decision that day. To make people smile for the rest of my life. That’s how the performance bug bit me. From a promise with a friend, to a life long commitment with myself.  

Q. Looking back at your early roles, what do you remember most about stepping onto a professional set for the first time? 

The amount of support I received from not only the producers, but the crew as well. Everyone being so welcoming and taking me in as their little brother. The warmth that emitted from the sets I was blessed to have started my professional career in, truly made fall in love with the craft more. Each facet of the collaboration was respected, and I learned to appreciate all the pieces that bring this puzzle together.  

Q. Was there a specific moment when you realized acting could be a long-term career for you? 

I remember distinctly the moment I made the decision to be a performer, I ran toward that goal with both arms. Making people smile for the rest of my life was the goal, and seeing the success of that through not only dance but my performance as an actor, kept affirming that I made the right choice with my career path. Drama & Dance as subjects at my High School is what really built my confidence in my abilities as a performer. The stringent teaching methods and unbelievable guidance from my teachers really shaped how I perform today. And then also, the shows. We were privileged to be part of several festivals, and not to sound like a broken record, but the smiles received after our performances as a group or my singular performance, was the fuel and nod toward my goal.  

Blood and Water & Spinners

Q. Blood & Water became a global hit. How did landing the role of Wade Daniels change your life? What did that role teach you about responsibility and representation?

Being able to play Wade Daniel’s was truly an honor. He helped me to be daring and bold in my decisions as a performer and as a person. To stay true and authentic to oneself. He helped me grow so much, pushing past subconscious limits I set for myself, losing any form of embarrassment to be able to truthfully play his quirky tendencies and showcasing a part of South Africa to the world. As an actor, it was a privilege to be able to show, in a small way, a part of our people. A part of my, our nation and the diversity thereof. An amazing story crafted by the hands of Gambit Films and entrusted to the cast to showcase South Africa to the world. Every part of it. And none of us took the opportunity for granted, handing everything with respect and the dignity it deserved. A story where everyone was seen, where everyone had the chance to be represented. No story bigger than the other. 

Q. Spinners introduced audiences to a very different side of you. What drew you to the role?

I think very similarly to Wade, Shane carried a heart of Gold. Caring earnestly and staying loyal to his friends and family. Anything with heart is a real attractor for me. Outside of Shane, the story was more than enough to draw me in. A story about a colored culture that hasn’t been shown before. A story about Spinning, not as something illegal, but as the sport & art it is. For the communities that share in the excitement of spinning, it’s their story we were privileged to tell and hopefully did justice to. Because we only scratched the surface. 

Q. How did preparing for this character differ from your experience on Blood & Water? 

I think the biggest difference was their interests. For Wade, he loves capturing the moment, not only as a photographer, but as a character. Staying present. For Shane, it’s cars. Understanding the song it sings and tuning it to best of his abilities. As a character, he carried that over into his daily life as well, pushing to see the good in people, helping where he can to make sure they are able to reach their best. With Ethan being an example of that. So I spent a lot of time under the hood of the car, learning from Spinners about the cars and truly falling in love with the art of spinning. That was my prep. 

Q. The world of Spinners is raw, intense and deeply rooted in Cape Town culture. How important was authenticity in portraying that environment?

Extremely important. With spinning itself being a big part of Soweto as well, we wanted to tell our story, our spinning, from here—Cape Town. So showcasing the art in the environments it’s done was a big must. Showing it in the communities where spinning is actually a thing. And making sure how it’s shown is as authentic as possible. Not only, did being in those locations help, but the script guided us effortlessly with our portrayal there as well. 

Q. How do you prepare for emotionally demanding scenes?

I tend to let the scene itself lead my emotions. As well as the cast I’m blessed to stand alongside. Making sure how it’s done is truthful and not forged to look a certain way. All the scenes where heavy emotions were needed and ultimately given, were scenes when I was drawn to that emotion by the occurrences in the scene itself and performances by those alongside me. 

Q. Are you instinct-driven as an actor, or do you prefer detailed preparation?

Definitely instinct-driven. Trying my best to have my performances carry a sense of naturalism. Attentively listening and then responding earnestly. 

Q.  Who has been your biggest mentor or influences in the industry?

I’ve learnt a lot from Denzel Washington. Scoured through plentiful of his performances and the interviews done thereafter. He’s always teaching, carrying over knowledge and as a fan of his work and him as a person, I sponge a lot from him. 

Q. What kind of roles challenge you the most, is there a character type you haven’t played yet but would love to explore?

I would love to delve more into the genre of action. Characters that require a lot of stunt work and weaponry. 

Q. Are you interested in branching into producing, directing, or writing in the future?

I’m honestly keen to branch out into as many avenues within our industry as possible. I would love to direct, to formulate the look of the story, and see that come to life. As well as writing the story. Putting my imagination down on a page, bringing my mind to life. Even with producing, being able to tell the stories that are fresh and new, and having a hand in that. The stories about representation & our world. Taking South Africa to the world, every nook and cranny of it. 

Q. What does long-term success look like to you?

Being comfortable and happy. My work brings me joy and to be able to do it for the rest of my life is a success to me. 

Q. Five years from now, what kind of projects would you like your name attached to?

For my name to be attached to stories that matter. The stories that changed the narrative from the stereotypes, stories that can be used in history lessons because of the truth it captures, stories that’ll make another young child choose to pursue their dream and stories that not only I, but the country can be proud of.